After introductions from Bruce Fordyce and our very own Mike Tippett whose the Alberts Farm Run Director we started or awesome new run and it was great.

Well we knew David Ashworth would win and he has made our first record at 20m : 11s not too shabby but we have a feeling it's a record that will be challenged soon. We had a 50th parkrunner and ton of newbies, it was an awesome start.

Remember though these are just the show offs, for the rest of us normal folk the spirit of parkrun is just to have fun and beat your own best time.

Sunday 10th August 2014 saw a flurry of activity at Albert’s Farm as the parkrun volunteers and a band of merry runners took part in a “dry run” for the launch of the event! With lots of excitement and nervous anticipation, the 5km course had been laid out, with “eco friendly” markers, the start and finish area set out and we were ready for our start. Ther runners and walkers were ready to start and after a briefing took off!!

It was a beautiful morning and each and every one of the runners/walkers set off to test the new Alberts Farm parkrun course! As each one completed the course, barcodes and positions were scanned as per a full event! Everything worked perfectly and the was a firm belief that we are ready for the launch on the 16th!

The course was the main topic of conversation after the event and every one felt that it was a most beautiful course and all runners/walkers should take the time to challenge the course.

Don’t forget we are always looking for additional volunteers to assist on a rotational basis. Even volunteers get their 500 Vitality point.

The weekly parkrun’s have certainly taken on a new dimension and meaning for me. Not only has it become a regular Saturday morning fixturefor me, but a time where I spend connecting with my wife who passed away on the 3rd May 2014 at 8.30 on the Saturday morning. She had completed one parkrun in November 2013

Les was diagnosed with ovarian cancer 8 years ago. She had chemo every year subsequently and in the last 4 years the longest period she went without chemo treatment was 3 months. She was a fighter and vowed to fight and beat the disease. All she wanted from life was to have some quality of life, to complete the Argus cycle race and to be a little bit healthy and fit and do the parkrun’s.

In September 2013 she completed chemo treatment and in November we spent some quality time at the coast and she managed to complete her one and only parkrun at Big Bay. This was such an achievement for her and she was really so proud of her accomplishment. Sadly she never got to complete an Argus cycle Race.

During my run every Saturday morning, I use the time to reflect on our lives together. We travelled a lot when the times were good and loved the outdoors. As I run and battle through each step of the 5km it helps me to reflect back on how she battled every step of the fight against the disease. I will run every week until I each 50 runs and then 100 and until I can't run any longer. Les continued “running” until she could no longer!

Les, every parkrun I do, and every step I run is for you. You taught us all so much in life. How valuable life is, how to fight for it and how quickly it can be taken away from you!,

At present I am instrumental in setting up the Albert's Farm parkrun. It is a park you loved walking in and found so much solitude in. Every run that takes place there will be for you and we will know that you are walking with us.

Attached is a photo of Les doing her one and only Parkrun at Big Bay in Cape Town. It will be a day I will never forget!

On Saturday 16th August 2014, Albert’s Farm in Greymont will host its inaugural parkrun. Thereafter it will be held weekly at this venue. The 5km parkrun concept started three years ago in South Africa and currently there are 35 parkrun venues around South Africa. This allows parkrunners to run an event wherever they are in South Africa at 8am on a Saturday morning. The Greymont community is proud of the venue and has been working frantically to get the venue ready for launch day.

Bruce Fordyce ran the route last week and declared that “.the Albert’s Farm parkrun must rate as one of the most beautiful routes in Johannesburg. The early morning view of the Johannesburg city skyline makes the effort worthwhile. The route covers all types of terrain and is certainly not difficult to complete. I cannot wait to take part in the run on the 16th August.”

(Bruce will also be available for interviews as well as photos at the launch on the 16th)

Participation at all parkruns is free and everyone is encouraged to come and run or walk no matter their state of fitness. Family participation is also a feature of all parkruns. No parkrun could take place without the invaluable support of volunteers so those who feel they are not yet ready to complete 5kilometres are urged to come along and participate by volunteering. Volunteers are called upon on a roster basis.

To register for Albert’s Farm parkrun go to www.parkrun.co.za print and bring your barcode with you to the parkrun.